New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-24
SPARKS'S BOARD OF REVIEW.
MACHINERY FOR KxPEDiTING LAND OFFICE WORK

wAsHINGToN April % Especial. If Senator Cock
rels committee does thorough work and
makes impartial report, the public may look tor
some interesting revelations as TO the ingenuity dis
PLAYED by Commissioner Sparks IN devisng methods
by which to expedite backward the work of the
General Land Office. Take, tor example, his Board
OF Review. No such board was ever known or needed
in the Land Office, until the clamor that arose all
through the Western States and Territories because OF
the famous order OF April g. 1885, that tainted with
suspicion of fraud every entry file in that office
caused the Secretary Of the Interior 10 realize that he
had acted too hastily in approving that order A
nominal board, consisting OF the three busiest men In
the office, the Assistant Commissioner, the Chief
Clerk, aud the Law Clerk, was organi1ed-tbeoretea-
iy to hasten, but practically to hinder, the work that
bad heretofore been assigned to thirty or more
OF the clerks Of the Office By special ORDER in Noyem
Der, 1885, the obnoxious order OF Apnl ., 1889.
having been at length revoked by Secretary Lamar in
language that plainly and purposely rcbukcd its
author the Board OF Review fol Ealy constituted
one of the divisions OF the General Land Office
relative of Congressman Heard, OF Missouri, pos
sessing the two essential qualifications OF Democi alto
Endorsement and total ignorance OF tho duties OF the
Office was made chief of the board. To teach him how
do it. two newly appointed clerks were trans
terred from the Patent ONCE, apparently because they
not wanted there. Five men, not by any means
tho highest clerical grade, two women. and last but
not least Eddie the youngest employc IN the office,
whom Commissioner Sparks inherited from bis prede-
ocasor as private messenger wearing knick erbocker
breeches, were added to make up board whose
special Judgment it is to pass final judgment the
work OF the ablest clerks in the Office TO E'des
credit it must be said that he is anxiousy watching
the premontory symptoms OF mustache. that he may
impart becoming dignity TO the Board OF Review.
In this instance however, Commissioner Sparks has
before him the example of the Secretary. who Sep
tember last picked out additional members the
Board OF Pension Appeals six men, mono Of whom had
any higher publication tor the places gvea ihon than
such as had been acquired in the management OF the
bull Run cyolorama or as u" skilled aborer " in the
department, except in case Ia which tho choice
tell upon clerk whose resignation had been called
tor the year before, because his conspicuous untness
for the kind of work had been clearly proven by
years OF trial
The woods are said to be full Of Democrats well
ntted m the most responsible places, and yet Com
missioner Sparks apparently makes his selections
according TO the rule by which Dogperry selected
bescoal as constable OF the watch. Speaking OF
LamaTs selections just mentioned, o prominent
Democratic official said I" Such appoiu tments
arc simply ridiculous. 1t was because OF such
couspI cuous INSTRUMENTATION that, when
Commissioner Sparks asked tor five
hg hsalaried clerks to form another division, to be
called the Division of Contests influential Senator
Of Sparkss own party saia; II such division Is
authorized by Congress, will that lite members
shal be confirmed BY the senate and 1t won't be lett
70 sparkle to select the mon for such positions and he
didn't get them"